Lessons (long)

[ShootingArts]

One word

Not trying to start a big argument here, but if some of the top players of out time have bad “fundamentals” how is it that they play at this exceptionally high level?

If form is the foundation around which are respective games are made how is this possible?

Which is to say some may put to much emphasis on this.....................?

Just one word explains how they play so well with "bad" fundamentals, consistency.

The truth is that you can use any stroke at all to deliver the cue tip to the cue ball where you need to and if you allow for the idiosyncrasies of the stroke you can shoot good pool. You can shoot good pool with horrible form if you are very consistent. However, and here is the key, it is much easier to be consistent with good fundamentals.

The best in many areas are often not the ones that start out with the most natural gifts but the ones who are most determined and persistent. Emulating them and putting in the years of effort that they have put in may get you where you want to be or you can take a shortcut by developing good fundamentals. Then you only have to learn the shots, not learn different compensations for each shot to take into account your poor fundamentals.

Hu

 

[JoeyA]

Check out www.pooiq.net and even call Joe yourself. He charges no where near that much, and will offer 1 on 1 instruction in areas that you seek improvement not a set itenerary. He'll point out basics that may need altering if it interferes with improvement, but he won't put you into the mold and make you just another "standard" pool player. I've taken lessons from him after purchasing his DVD's and everyone I know and play against have seen dramatic improvement. He didn't try to change what was working for me, just gave me instruction on what I didn't do confidently.

Check out the posts here to get some perspective on what he can offer. Search for Joe Villalpondo or Cue Ball Control DVD, or just look at the threads I've posted on. Several of them pertain to Joe's work. He has had people come for lessons from all over the country and I've never heard a case of someone being anything but thrilled with the results he can lead you to. In fact, most come back for more lessons later on to help develop their games further.

I know several people who have been to Cue U and said it was "alright". They weren't too impressed with the overall experience, but did say they learned to practice with a purpose. There are tons of teachers that can give you that. Most for far less than $1800. If you are interested, give Joe a call and let me know...I can hook you up with accomodations in the area.

Dave

Joe's web site for some "kickin' pool instruction" is www.pooliq.net
JoeyA

 

[charlieb]

I guess if you are as good as Hopkins, Reyes, and Busta, then perhaps you don't need to focus on fundamentals. For the rest of us.....

Steve

I read a book by Hal Mix after meeting him at the Bicycle Club in So. Cal. He acknowledged that there many great players who were unorthodox but wondered how much better they might have been if they had had good fundamentals.

 

[JimS]

You have to have a reliable, accurate, and repeatable stroke before anything good can even begin to happen to your pool game.

Get at least one lession from a good instructor so the flaws in your stroke can be identified and correction can begin. Once you have been taught the basics you work on those fundamentals every day so they become habitually correct and then take a lesson at least once ever year after to make sure you are still doing things right.

I like Scott, Mark Wilson and Sailor of Racine, but that's because I know them. I'm sure that the other teachers that post here are very well qualified. They've been making a living for many years and wouldn't have made it were they not good at what they do.

 

[Scott Lee]

If a player can remain openminded, a well qualified coach can make a big difference...Tom

True story...if you can't come with an open mind, you're wasting the instructor's time and your money!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

 

[iasaxman]

You have to have a reliable, accurate, and repeatable stroke before anything good can even begin to happen to your pool game.

Get at least one lession from a good instructor so the flaws in your stroke can be identified and correction can begin. Once you have been taught the basics you work on those fundamentals every day so they become habitually correct and then take a lesson at least once ever year after to make sure you are still doing things right.

I like Scott, Mark Wilson and Sailor of Racine, but that's because I know them. I'm sure that the other teachers that post here are very well qualified. They've been making a living for many years and wouldn't have made it were they not good at what they do.

Before anything good can happen? I'm pretty sure the "correct" stroke 50 years ago is differnt than now...

Look at golf...Bobby Jones and Arnold Palmer had perfect strokes back then...who has it now? It isn't Tiger and he's best in the world. Repeatable is correct, but don't say nothing good can happen until you have gotten the flaws out of your stroke. Most of the time, innovation occurs by going outside the rules. If it works for you, don't let "professional instructors" tell you otherwise.

I still stand by Joe Villalpondo as a very solid instructor who will take your game to a new level. He also takes your input when teaching to suit your wants. If you don't want to work on form, but want to get into hitting kicks, he'll have you hitting them. If your stroke won't allow you to hit those shots, at least you can see why he suggests you change it. If it works for you, he won't try to change it. Comfort and confidence are more important on a pool table than conformity. www.pooliq.net

Dave

 

[JoeW]

Seems to me that if an instructor is going to give me individual instruction for a high dollar then they better start where I am and improve my game. Tell me that I have to start at the beginning and I would go elsewhere.

If I were going to pay $500 for a day with a professional I would want to know who you are, who you have taught and what your success ratio has been. I want to talk with prior clients and I want their assessment before I lay down dollar one.

If they cannot give me an example of their work (teaching in this case such as video or DVD) then I wonder why. Some teachers I would click with, some I would not and I want a preview.

In the university we have two or three weeks of drop and add where a student can basically come and go until they find the professors with whom they click. Even then they can get out of a class for reduced fees for nearly half (or longer) the length of the session.

I have many questions for any doctor, lawyer or other professional. Exactly how many heart surgeries have you performed? And how many of your patients died? If he refuses to answer then I go elsewhere.

If it is a lawyer, how many corporations have you formed? Give me some people I can contact who will evaluate your work please.

Who have you taught that has significantly improved in league play or tournaments. If you can not tell me then there is no one.

If you want a job with me, I want some references. That is the way the world works.

 

[Cameron Smith]

Unless you are a pro level player or very close to it, you have problems with your fundamentals, whether you know it or not. Trust me.

This goes for every sport or activity. The moment you decided you know everything you need to know in a specific area, is the moment you begin to stagnate.

 

[JimS]

Before anything good can happen? I'm pretty sure the "correct" stroke 50 years ago is differnt than now...

Look at golf...Bobby Jones and Arnold Palmer had perfect strokes back then...who has it now? It isn't Tiger and he's best in the world. Repeatable is correct, but don't say nothing good can happen until you have gotten the flaws out of your stroke. Most of the time, innovation occurs by going outside the rules. If it works for you, don't let "professional instructors" tell you otherwise.

I still stand by Joe Villalpondo as a very solid instructor who will take your game to a new level. He also takes your input when teaching to suit your wants. If you don't want to work on form, but want to get into hitting kicks, he'll have you hitting them. If your stroke won't allow you to hit those shots, at least you can see why he suggests you change it. If it works for you, he won't try to change it. Comfort and confidence are more important on a pool table than conformity. www.pooliq.net

Dave

I'll be seeing Joe next week.

It sounds like there is something in my post that you are disagreeing with but ????

All I was saying is that if a person is trying to play good pool with a defective stroke they will be wasting a lot of time and need to get it fixed so that their practice and play will begin to show marked improvement. I never meant to say that an experienced player who has already gained some ability to play needs to start over.